why some people should NOT move to Thailand... 

Here are the most popular reasons why people leave Thailand and why some people should not move to Thailand (in my opinion). Let me know your thoughts! Learn how to replace your job, move to Thailand, and join the #1 Thailand Community: www.thailandinsidersclub.com/

I just lived 5months myself in Bkk & i'm now back in belgium and i absolutely miss Thailand so much. Just Asia in general makes me such a different person. Absolutely nothing to prove there to others, such lovely souls, amazing malls, traveling cheap all around asia to dream destinations. Oh man i'm definitely considering moving back there in summer of 2026 fulltime. My lease here is ending ayway. I have 0 ambition here in Belgium. time for another chapter soon

My Biggest Regret about moving to Thailand is that I didn't come sooner 🇹🇭

I am Thai and living in the state (silicon valley) for more than 10 years, I consider myself lucky to be a Thai that I have my nice home country to to back anytime and still affordable and nice people even though many things I don’t like.

Landed backpacking in Thailand all alone in 2000…stayed for 6 mths in bkk…met friendly foreigners and thais caught some thai lingo to get by…kept coming back to explore more…it’s been 24 yrs now since I first set foot in the old don mueng airport…got married to a thai last yr and settled in the south…and I’m from singapore!…

If you have enough money, Thailand is a paradise, I would say that.

I'm never going back home when i leave UK ,the western world is done ,empire collapsing .

Thailand is not the best destination for everyone..I believe it. Just go somewhere which fit your life. I am Thai. I used to visit many countries. Those were nice to go and live for a short time…. Anyway I love my country Thailand, I don’t have to worry about any thing..???

Best advice I heard from a retired expat RU-vidr in SE Asia was this: "Take a few test drives first." What they implied was go visit for 2, 3, 4 weeks/months (whatever you can afford) and do this a few times....not just once....and really try to get a feel of what normal daily life is like instead of being a tourist. That's the best way to see if the new location is a good fit for you.

That was a very interesting conversation filled with spot on observations. Don't worry about not having gone to other places first. Sometimes you just know and you need to trust your gut. It is refreshing to see someone with a balanced outlook. You still have a lot of different phases and experiences awaiting you over the coming years and I am sure you will rise to the occasion. In my experience it is not so much how well you plan but how resilient you are. I moved here pre-internet so for me it looks like there is a lot more opportunity these days and a lot more information, maybe too much information. Sometimes you can overthink, over plan, over research and end up paralyzed from too much choice. Think of Thailand as a catalyst which can make the good things in your life better or the bad things worse. So it really helps if you know yourself before you come here, to help you understand what Thailand might be accentuating.

Great stuff.... I am semi-retired approaching 50 in a few months. I still have my home in Scottsdale, Arizona and renting it away as an AirBNB, still have my car, and whatever. I don't want to return back, but need to since my family is still there. No kids, not married. I've been staying in Asia since before New Years Eve. It's been awesome. I would love to meet up. I'm currently in Chiang Mai and will head to Bangkok for an extended period in a month.

we prefer Hua Hin, to much pollution in Bangkok, but other than the pollution we absolutely love Bangkok, it's a great city

I think that everyone should visit 1-3 months to decide if they like it. Good video paul! :)

Very basic common sense advice, but a good refresher! Thx

Lot of great points and considerations I haven't seen anywhere else, great video!

I saw your write up on CNBC. Congrats!! It was a great peace with really good exposure.

Thank you for the warnings. Glad i dont any problems with what you said

Many people are unaware of how to live in Thailand. They desire a high quality of life that is inexpensive, but that requires financial investment. It is possible to live in Thailand on a limited budget by embracing a slower, simpler lifestyle with fewer material possessions.

Hi Paul, you have brought up some really important points such as structuring your day and self-control. I think there is one more thing that is important: in Thailand people are like a mirror, if you smile they smile at you, if you are in a bad mood they look away and ignore you. Greeting from Phra Khanong, Michi PS: I walk every evening in this phantastic Benjarisi Park, i love it.

You are correct, I moved to Thailand, stayed for a year and moved back to Australia to focus on my career in the west

True, many get confused by a much needed break and wanting to live there cos of a fun, paid vacation. I'm staying near that park, next month for a week break. Thanks for this upload, very interesting.

The humidity and language barrier is enough to convince me to remain as a visitor.

Great video bro! A lot of good info. 👍

Nice seeing quality expats like you man.

Like your truthful content and honesty especially about thai women. Been here five years loving everyday. Hope you see more content take care

I'm sad that so many of the comments are rough. I very much appreciated the video. Great job as usual

Love Thailand I live in Tucson it"s 110 degrees so I can aclimate tha weather there love your videos😊

Excellent video, Paul. Wonderful insights.

Love your philosophy on the corporate sh*t, either in the office or after work events to force ourselves to be pretentious.

This is a very good video to see through.

Good thoughts and I understand the appeal to live in Thailand. I like to spend 3 month in winter in Thailand. Winter in Germany sucks. However living in both wolrds allow me to also travel in the warmer seasons in Europe as well. As long as my health allows me I will continue doing this.

Such a great great suggestion to try out several of the Asian countries before settling on a place to move

Been enjoying your channel for a year and also cnbc make it. Was shocked to see you pop up on that show, amazing 🤩!

Awesome honest answer 👍🏻👍🏻💪🏻💪🏻

That's what I do. I escape for 2 or 3 months. I love the weather in my state.

The most important thing is the western people when their parents getting very old and body functions defected. Most of western people do not look after their parents such as, taking a bath, changing diapers, wipe up the urine (shit and piss) for your parents and etc. On the other hand, when you were young your parents did everything to you and working very hard to bringing up the child till you grow up. When their parents getting very old they have to leave them at the nursing home. Only few western people look after their old parents. This is not all about culture, it is all about attitude, mindset, gratefulness, and return the favor. Have a wonderful time😊❤

Don't forget that the western way of life is toxic and cult like. I agree, visit Thailand see how it goes. For me I loved it 30 years ago and am so glad I live here today.

I like your mentality bro, your parents raised you right I can’t even dream of being able to afford to move out of the u.s an take a month or 2 break smh I wish though fr

Great video and points. I was in BKK for 2months during March-May this year (6weeks Thailand and a couple weeks in Malaysia/Indonesia) . As much as I loved BKK I am not entirely sure it is for me , I'm generally an outdoor person and enjoy running/walking and the heat was seriously getting to me (albeit it was the hottest time of the year). Also the convenience, while being great does induce the availability of 24/7 access to partying lifestyle, which is not conducive of a life if you are trying to build and grow, self discipline and avoiding some people/areas completely is required. In the long run I'm not sure Bkk is the right spot for me, although I feel like I need more time too, but I know the 9-5 isn't sustainable to go back to either..

Great video, I am impressed how thoughtful you are given your young age - keep it up

Contrats on the CNBC Make It article.

I put myself in enough situations last trip that I believe I would love to move there soon. The heat is probably the only thing that bothers me, but I'll be okay. Your last piece of advice is probably the best, if you cannot maintain self control in Thailand you are in trouble. Too much of anything is never a good idea.

Paul, another great vid! Over the span of 20 years, I visited Thailand many times for business and pleasure. Upon retirement, I sold everything, got my LTR visa and set up my home in Bangkok. I miss the States, and go back 2-3 times a year, but Thailand is my home now. Salute!

Watching from Cambodia 🇰🇭

I'm French and i moved to Spain, Valencia since 2011, sometimes i look at Thailand but i'm not sure it will be cheaper for me than life in Valencia which is already cheap for me with a good weather and living environment.

Thank you for the advise. I'm thinking of making the move to Bangkok myself. I'm in the process of creating my location independent business and have looked into going abroad as a digital nomad. I'll do as you recommend and will come and stay for a month first to see if I like it. Then after of month of living and working there I'll know of Bangkok is for me.

I’ve lived in Thailand now for over 10 years now and I can agree with a lot of the things you’ve said in this video. Thailand is not the easiest country to live in. Visas - Al visas in Thailand are 3 months long. “Year but what about 1 year visa or Elite visa” no! All visas in Thailand are 3 months long you have to extend every 90 days. Even the elite visa has to do 90 day checkins! It’s just done for you. During the pandemic we found out that renewal is not guaranteed. Working in Thailand is basically gonna be teaching English. Unless you have some mad skills that only 1% of the population can do like nuclear physicist or something like that, you’re probably gonna be a teacher. It does not pay well. Just enough to stay alive (same as teaching all over Asia) do not do this unless you love teaching. A lot of people portray the fancy side of Bangkok like that’s all there is here. Bangkok on average is a giant slum. Some parts are fancy but on the whole it’s a massive slum. If you can’t handle hot and dirty Thailand is not for you. One of the problems you mention here is Thai women. “If I didn’t have a Thai girlfriend I would be” Living my life. I’m sure you love your girlfriend very much. But most Thai women want to own you. They want you to live with them and spend every waking moment of your life and you end up with very little time for your actual life. I defiantly agree that you can get no work done in Thailand. Thailand is relatively inexpensive and so you could live on relatively little money. Plus Thailand is super chill. They have a saying here “Sabai Sabai” which literally means super chill. Thailand will make you soft like a lion in a zoo. You lose the hunger to work hard after many years in Thailand.

The last part where you talk about dating, manipulative men/women or partying /drugs/sex and about how easily you can lose yourself in that lifestyle. You're absolutely right. But that can happen anywhere, in any country . When you're in "vacation mode" all the time, you're practically lying to yourself. That isn't real life. That's why many people don't last and can't stay in one place long term. P. S i like your content and i subscribed. I'm trying to inform myself about Thailand as much as possible. I also llike the language. I hope i find the courage to visit first.. Then.. We'll see ❤

"Oh shit...there's a turtle!" Subscribed!

Great true talk ! I am happy to say I have made it in life and lived the American dream, so it will be nice to finally retire in less than 5 years. I did have to do all the things you talk about to grow my career, no way I could have made my American dream happen if I stayed at the same job all my life here in the states. It is a MAJOR rat race here and making 6 figures in certain career paths is difficult, but luckily my specialized tech position has always been in demand and there was always another company that would grab me up if I was looking and always got better pay and benefits. Loved your CNBC video too !! A+

Great advice about visiting for a month or two and trying other places as well.

Apart from its glitz and glamour, living in Thailand does have some unavoidable downsides most notably the heatwave and pollution if you are residing in Bangkok.

Solid advice 😊

I love BKK, but will never retire in the Kingdom of Thailand kap.🙏

If you dont have certification and skills also a degree do not go. You will not be hired or get a job. Let alone a work permit.

Yes. Lived in Bangkok not far from there. Rama 9 Asoke. Best time in my life. Honestly. Do I really want to move to Thailand and learn more of the Thai culture which by the way I find hold dear at heart? Of cause I will be moving to live work remotely and be happy. Thanks for sharing.

Good talk; enjoy your vlogs and rants; I’m the subscriber that has no interest in Thailand…..but I enjoy your philosophy

I’ll be back in Thailand next winter, regards from Germany

I like the last point, can agree with that 100%

Thumbs up 👍 Paul

Hey paul, interesting perspective. I just got back from a month in bangkok and I have lived in Taipei, Taiwan for a year before (pre-covid). I definitely agree it's a good idea to test the waters first on where you want to live. I actually disliked Bangkok's foreigners more than in Taiwan. A lot more professional foreigners live in Taiwan and operate with a less pervert kind of mindset, and the locals are nice ( I speak some mandarin). Going to visit Vietnam and the Philippines on business soon as well, hopefully gain a better perspective.

good video, agree with everything you say, it is very important for people to know what they are getting into before they sell everything in North America, test the waters first, try 3-6 months in SE Asia first, travel around, make sure it is what you want before you literally "pull the plug" in your home country. Good advise in this video. I am older than you, but I agree with the corporate ladder BS, I have always worked for myself, never worked for anybody, it worked out very well for me, I retired at age 49, and doubled my net worth since then, careful financial planning when you are younger pays huge dividends in your older years, I am 64 and can't spend all my money in my life at $8,000 a month if I live to age 95.

Thailand is a country where self discipline is needed to enjoy it for the long term. Some people first go and get trapped by some of the bad things, We know what those are and being in vacation mode 24/7 and overspending because they think it's cheap and compared to the west it is but it can trick people into spending more then they really should or even can afford and that isn't sustainable unless you have good money. If people bring bad habits with them to Thailand like over drinking, lady bars, no financial discipline it can be a short run and then they need to go home. You see many people who go from loving it and then burnout and going broke because they don't have self control. I love going to Thailand but only for vacation and then I return to Malaysia where my wife is from. Being so close it's easy to go for me and then return. For me Thailand is for vacation and Malaysia is for living but that is subjective and a personal choice for each person. Best thing like you said is try it for a short period and also try other SE Asian countries before just packing up and fully moving.

Great video bro, definetly considering bkk

Great video....thanks 🙏🙏

I sold everything in 2020 when my country lost its collective mind so I could leave. I wouldn’t advise anyone sell everything in order to move to a country, I just did it cuz I was fleeing. Moving to Thailand for me isn’t as scary because having a place to live, even if I don’t like it, isn’t as worrisome as living out of a suitcase with no physical address.

@paul - just saw your msnbc article. It says you grossed out 1 million in salary. Doesn't really mean much if it's gross and not net. But I also heard others who have benefits interviewed and they have stated how msnbc misrepresented the Financials. Curious that part is true. Or if you had anything to add to how it was written.

The title/cover page is pure Clickbait BS. He posts a title like that and then one minute into the video he says that moving to Thailand was one of the best decisions he has ever made and then goes on to give silly speculative hypotheticals of some people that probably should not move to Thailand. For example, you should not sell all your belongings and move to Thailand if you are only taking a quick break from your country. Seems like the video was made just for the sake of making a video. Definitely a thumbs down.

Yeah, I hear ya Paul. I'm like you I don't like rubbing elbows with people whose personality, ideology, etc. are opposite of mine. In my 20s I tried that to try to network and get ahead in the companies I was working in but it felt too much like ass kissing so I stopped doing that. I'm looking to retire, put the corporate world behind me, and travel the world just like you and others are doing.

Well sad. Totally agree with all Had similar feeling once.

Regardless what you say ..ppl will moved to Thailand if they think it the right choice.. Ok you may have plenty financial back up to live in Bangkok or Thailand..but also ppl need to adapt to different cultures in another country and change your way to there culture..yes the weather is a big fact in hot climate country as Thailand..as I said regardless what you said, ppl will moved to Thailand as choice,

actually you would like more if air quality improved, and no new tax issue

Thanks for sharing. A lot of great points!

Thailand is cool.. It is not for everyone.. And it is not perfect. As many bads-nearly and goods about it in my opinion.. Your video is good. I would want to visit and spend time in the rest of Asia first, before deciding to settle anywhere..

Hello Paul. I actually just came across your video on CNBC. Good you are enjoying your stay in Thailand. I actually lived in Bangkok for about three years. The last two years in Asoke. I’m familiar with Thonglor and have been there a few times. I left Thailand a little over a year ago. I’m curious about a couple of things. You have a decent size apartment in Thonglor. The article says you are paying $544 USD per month rent. Which is just under $ 20000 baht per month. That rent is very inexpensive for Bangkok. Especially that area. How did you manage that lol? Your gym membership of $93 usd per month is very high. My memberships at gyms in Bangkok averaged $40 per .month. And that was a western style chain of gyms popular in Thailand.

Wow thats a fresh perspective

Great points

You should have constant income everymonth if you want to move to other country.

If you can disconnect from the never ending consumer and status society, you are in for a great treat. You will never be happy unless you are happy of what you have.

This is about you Paul...nice article in CNBC

Having lived in Kuala Lumpur IMHO it's better then Bangkok. You talk about trying other places very true. Funny you do not mention Singapore. Expats never go there why? Cost it's NYC or Paris prices. KL is great, food, people not traffic jam like Bangkok. Cheap to live like you 300-500 a month for a brand new furnished condo. Great golf and wide open roads. Best kept secret in Asia is KL :)

Great advice 👍

does anybody know the name of the city/area mentioned at 0:43?

5:38 Sadly, no FAANG company is going to allow an employee to work 100% remotely outside of the US for an extended amount to time. Sadly corporate America wants butts in seats (AKA control). Not to mention working US hours in Asia is really brutal and not sustainable long term. Imo the best approach to be an online entrepreneur making USD and decouple income from location.

Would you say that Thailand is a more chill and cheaper version of a 1st world Western country?

getting lost in the sauce of the world, that means being carnally minded which the Bible says leads to death, spiritual and physical and thrown into the eternal lake of fire ... I have enough temptations to avoid here in Southern California, Bangkok is asking for trouble!

Just watch your story in CNBC, Congrats for that.

I live in Philadelphia. It's absolutely horrible 😂

Very informative video

Na mate I’m a nomad, I’m always moving. Been doing it since I was a kid. I’m still moving there.

Would you suggest to own or to rent a property in Thailand?

That's why u don't get a girlfriend, just travel around countries & have flings.Why be responsible for someone else lifestyle

Benjakitti Park 00:01 Not Benja City Park

สวนสาธารณะ ที่ ประเทศยุโรป ใคร จะ เช้าไป ใน สวนต้อง จ่าย เงิน.คือ อะไรที่เป็น สาธารณะท ของประเทศยุโรปต้องจ่ายเงินทั้งนั้นเลย...ซึ่งต่างกับประเทศไทย...ถึง แม้ ว่ ปท.ไทย ยังจน กว่า ป.ท. ยุโรป แต่ประเทศไทยก็ไม่ได้เก็บค่าเข้าสวนออกกำลังกายเพื่อ..บริการ ประชาชน ดังนั้นชาวต่างชาติจึงได้รับอานิสงส์นี้ไปด้วย ..เข้าสวนสาธารณะสวนทุกอย่างไม่ต้องจ่ายเงิน....สวนลุมพินี สวนเบญจสิริกิต

0:01 Bencha City Park? I'm pretty sure it's called Benchasiri Park

great for 3 months jan. feb. mar.

Living there whole year, isn't it too hot and polluted?

I don't care what this guy said....i'm going to get lost in the sauce of women.

Wise words...

I completely agree. Every six months for a 30 day stay has been perfect for me. (I have family there)